By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government has organised the first exhibition of the State Research and Development Grant (LRDG) project on which a total sum of N142.3 million had already been disbursed by the council 31 projects from various fields of human endeavour aimed at promoting infrastructural development and economic growth in the country were on display at the event.

Fashola

The benefiting universities are Lagos State University, LASU; University of Lagos, UNILAG; Pan African University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State; Caleb University; Yaba College of Technology and African Languages Technology Initiatives.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire at the event , said that the state had demonstrated that through research and development, it is possible to harness home grown innovative ideas whose implementation will forge the state closer to the achievement of the 2012-2015 Development Plan.

He gave an assurance that the funding of research would also be accorded a pride of place by the incoming administration of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode when he takes the mantle of leadership on May 29 this year. Fashola stressed that, Lagos being the hub of Nigeria’s economy, it should continue to develop initiatives that will stimulate as well as enhance economic growth of the state.

The Secretary of the Council, who is also the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs Florence Oguntuashe while speaking, said out of the N142.3 Million approved by the state, the sum of N126.3 Million has been disbursed by the research council. She explained that after the exhibition, the state Governor would be presented with the detailed reports while the balance of N14.2 million would also be disbursed subsequently.